“Machinist Studies” next at UIS Visual Arts Gallery

March 8, 2005

SPRINGFIELD - “Michael Dunbar: Machinist Studies” will be on
display from March 22 through April 21 at the Visual Arts Gallery at the
University of Illinois at Springfield. An opening reception will be held
from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, in the gallery and a special
Artist’s Lecture will be presented beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, April
7, in Public Affairs Center conference room C/D. The reception, lecture,
and exhibit are free and open to the public.

"Fallen
Warrior" by Michael Dunbar

Dunbar’s machinists studies, initially conceived as models for larger
works, are nearly all composed of bronze, using precise techniques in the
machining of arcs, plates, and joints. UIS Professor Emeritus Larry Shiner
observed, “Even as Dunbar employs the most sophisticated industrial
technology, he continues to define his personal identity in relation to the
entire tradition of sculpture, combining the sense of scale of a Mark di
Suvero with the elegance of Henry Moore.”

"Chicago"
by Michael Dunbar

Dunbar is a nationally renowned sculptor and art-in-architecture
coordinator for the state of Illinois. In 1995 he co-founded “Pier Walk,”
an outdoor sculpture exhibition at Chicago’s Navy Pier. His work is
displayed in various collections, including Navy Pier, the Krasl Art Center
in St. Joseph, Missouri, and the Wandell Sculpture Garden in Urbana,
Illinois.

The Visual Arts Gallery is located in room 201 of the Health and Sciences
Building on the UIS campus. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
through Thursday. For further information about the exhibit or the gallery,
contact Emily Laverty at 206-6506 or by e-mail at
visarts-ga@uis.edu.

The University of Illinois at Springfield,
one of three U of I campuses, is a small, public liberal arts university
that
offers
42 degree programs – 21
bachelor’s, 20 master’s, and the Doctorate of Public Administration.
UIS has a special mission in public affairs and service and is known for
extraordinary internships, a wireless campus, extensive online offerings,
and a commitment to teaching.